Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is part of a group considering formation of a football league that would compete with the NFL for players drafted lower than the second round.
The league, still very much in the preliminary stage, would play its games on Friday nights. The NFL does not play then because of the potential conflict with high school football.
“It’s a pretty simple concept,” Cuban said. “We think there is more demand for pro football than supply.”
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said he was aware of the proposed league, but had no further comment.
Cuban is the only potential owner for what the founders hope will be an eight-team league. Cuban said he believes the salary cap makes it easier to compete financially with the NFL because of the salary imbalance that leaves lower-level players with lower salaries. That would allow the new league to fill its rosters with players taken lower than the second round, as well as late NFL cuts and free agents who escape the NFL draft.
COLLEGE LACROSSE
Duke players get additional eligibility
The NCAA has granted Duke’s request for an extra year of eligibility for its men’s lacrosse players following rape allegations that led to the cancellation of much of last season. The decision affects 33 players who were not seniors during the 2006 season, and it grants them a fifth year of eligibility regardless of whether they play at Duke or another school.
NHL
Former Canadiens star Balon dies at 68
Dave Balon, who won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s during a 14-year NHL career, died Tuesday in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He was 68. Balon, who had multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years, also played for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota North Stars, as well as the Quebec Nordiques when they were part of the WHA. The left wing had career totals of 192 goals and 222 assists, with 607 penalty minutes.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Humanitarian Bowl gets new sponsor
The Humanitarian Bowl has a new handle – thanks to a big 10-4 from one of the nation’s largest truck stop chains. Executives of the bowl played on the blue turf at Boise State announced a new three-year partnership with Idaho-based Roady’s Truck Stop. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The sponsorship starts with the 2007 Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl and extends through the 2009 season. It coincides with the bowl’s new three-year television contract with ESPN and conference agreements with the ACC and WAC. This year’s game is scheduled Dec. 31.
Louisville cornerback Lamar Alston and defensive end Jonathan Holston have been dismissed from the team for undisclosed reasons. Alston, a junior, played in 12 games and recorded six tackles for the Cardinals in 2006. Holston was limited to three games because of an injury and was credited with one tackle.
FOOTNOTES
Galaxy won’t loan out its English star
David Beckham won’t be returning to play in Europe on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy after the Major League Soccer season ends in November.
“He is coming to the Los Angeles Galaxy and we don’t anticipate him going anywhere but the Los Angeles Galaxy for the foreseeable future,” general manager Alexi Lalas said.
There had been suggestions the English star could return to Europe on loan with one of the leading clubs.
Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense put together a solid workout at Churchill Downs, and a decision whether the colt will run in the Belmont Stakes on June 9 is expected today.
Mike Burns was dismissed as men’s basketball coach at Eastern Washington. Burns, who had two years remaining on a five-year contract, had a 38-49 record.
Florida A&M men’s basketball coach Mike Gillespie Sr. was placed on paid leave after his arrest last week on misdemeanor stalking charges.
Stanford’s Rob Grube shot a 6-under-par 64 to top the leaderboard and help the Cardinal take a two-stroke lead over Coastal Carolina after the first round of the NCAA men’s golf championships in Williamsburg, Va.
Vanderbilt left-hander David Price and Florida State second baseman Tony Thomas shared Collegiate Baseball’s player of the year award.
Sprinter Justin Gatlin will have an arbitration hearing July 30-31 as he seeks to reduce a possible eight-year ban on doping charges, said his agent, Renaldo Nehemiah.
Swin Cash scored 20 points to help the Detroit Shock improve to 3-0 in the WNBA with a 94-79 victory over the Washington Mystics in Auburn Hills, Mich.
